Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe, #17)

Title: Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe, #17)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1986

Date read: 10th April 2018

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Regiment" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1986, is the ninth novel in the Richard Sharpe series. It stands out by taking Captain Richard Sharpe away from the battlefields of the Peninsular War and back to England in 1813, where he uncovers a shocking conspiracy involving widespread corruption and treason within the British Army itself.

The story begins with Sharpe, now a respected captain, being sent back to England by Lord Wellington on a seemingly simple administrative task: to find more men for his regiment, the South Essex. However, when Sharpe arrives at the regimental depot, he discovers a horrifying truth: the regiment, which should have thousands of men on its rolls, is drastically understrength. Many of the soldiers are missing, having disappeared or never been recruited despite the paperwork claiming otherwise.

Sharpe quickly realizes that this isn't just an inefficiency; it's a massive, systematic fraud. He uncovers a vast conspiracy involving senior officers who are pocketing the pay, rations, and equipment meant for non-existent "ghost" soldiers, or selling recruits into other regiments. This elaborate scheme is enriching a corrupt network at the expense of the army's fighting strength and the lives of the men sent to fight in Spain.

His investigation immediately puts him in grave danger. The conspirators, led by the ruthless and influential Sir Irving, are powerful men with connections high up in the War Office and even within the Royal Family. They are willing to go to extreme lengths, including murder, to protect their illicit enterprise and silence anyone who uncovers their secret.

Sharpe, accompanied by his ever-loyal sergeant, Patrick Harper, finds himself battling enemies who operate in the drawing rooms and government offices of England, a world he is far less comfortable in than the battlefield. He becomes a marked man, hunted by both the conspirators' assassins and the very military police who should be upholding justice.

The novel is a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, as Sharpe gathers evidence, evades capture, and tries to expose the truth. He uses his street smarts, his combat skills, and his sheer defiance to outwit his aristocratic and well-connected adversaries. He also forms an unlikely alliance with the beautiful and spirited courtesan, Jane Gibbons, who provides valuable information from London's upper echelons.

The climax of "Sharpe's Regiment" involves Sharpe orchestrating a daring and audacious plan to expose the conspirators to the highest echelons of power, including the Prince Regent himself. He stages a dramatic confrontation that brings the truth to light, restoring honour to his regiment and dealing a severe blow to the corrupt establishment. It's a gripping tale of justice sought against overwhelming odds, showcasing Sharpe's determination and his unwavering commitment to the common soldier.

Comments:
I read all of the Sharpe books in chronological order, one after the other. When I have looked back, I have not separated them at all unless there is a specific thing to add which will be after saying that I suddenly loved historical fiction and anything that Bernard Cornwell writes.

Books that we've read by Bernard Cornwell (28):
Sharpe's Eagle (Sharpe, #8) (1981), Sharpe's Gold (Sharpe, #9) (1981), Sharpe's Company (Sharpe, #13) (1982), Sharpe's Sword (Sharpe, #14) (1983), Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe, #15) (1984), Sharpe's Honour (Sharpe, #16) (1985), Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe, #17) (1986), Redcoat (1987), Sharpe's Siege (Sharpe, #18) (1987), Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe, #6) (1988), Sharpe's Revenge (Sharpe, #19) (1989), Sharpe's Waterloo (Sharpe, #20) (1990), Sharpe's Devil (Sharpe, #22) (1992), Sharpe's Battle (Sharpe, #12) (1995), Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1) (1997), Sharpe's Triumph (Sharpe, #2) (1998), Sharpe's Fortress (Sharpe, #3) (1999), Sharpe's Prey (Sharpe, #5) (2000), Sharpe's Trafalgar (Sharpe, #4) (2000), Gallows Thief (2001), Heretic (The Grail Quest, #3) (2003), Sharpe's Havoc (Sharpe, #7) (2003), The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1) (2004), Sharpe's Escape (Sharpe, #10) (2004), Sharpe's Fury (Sharpe, #11) (2005), The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2) (2006), Sword Song (The Saxon Stories, #4) (2007), Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3) (2007)